Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Baghdad. The Mission Planning Officer will report to the Senior Planning Officer, Head of the Strategic Planning Unit (SPU).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Conducts research and participate in the writing of initial drafts of document segments, contribute to development and implementation and monitoring of strategies to maximize the individual and collective impact of the UN’s response in the country of deployment, concentrating on mandated tasks and activities required to consolidate peace, through a strategic partnership between the Mission and the UN Country Team.
• Provides advice to programme managers on planning guidance and tools, especially the Policy on Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP); provides recommendations on design of specific planning tools and mechanisms, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners.
• Provides secretariat support and technical assistance to integrated field coordination structures, such as the Strategic Policy Group, the Integrated Strategy and Planning Team and the Integrated Mission Planning Team, as required; support Mission participation in meetings of the Headquarters-based Integrated Mission Task Force or equivalent body.
• As directed, contributes to the development and implementation of a UN Integrated Strategic Framework or equivalent for peace consolidation in the country, including Comprehensive Performance Assessment System for monitoring, reporting and evaluation of progress.
• Makes suggestions and drafting inputs for review and approval by the Senior Mission Planning Officer, assists in the preparation of a Mission Concept and Mission Plan as relevant, which, building on the vision of the SRSG, translates the mission mandated tasks into a form that fuses objectives, timelines and expected outcomes into a coherent whole, serving as an authoritative guide for the development and implementation of Mission component workplans, compacts, and other plans.
• Compiles and analyzes data, contribute to preparation of the Mission Results-Based Budget (RBB) framework and performance reports, and inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring, evaluations, performance reporting with a particular focus on programmatic activities and other accountability and evaluation processes.
• Provides background information and drafts documents for review and approval by the Senior Mission Planning Officer in order to support Mission components in development of component-level plans, including to ensure coherence with the Mission’s overall strategic direction and planning tools, and to support joint and integrated planning between Mission components, UNCT members and other relevant partners in accordance with the IAP guidelines and senior management guidance.
• Stands in as tandem for the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, provide primary support the Office and performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism
Ability to perform a broad range of Administrative functions; Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations rules and regulations in work situations; Good knowledge of institutional mandates and policies of the institutions of the UN system, peacekeeping in particular; familiarity with the UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes, including how peacekeeping operations and UN Country Teams collaborate in a transition setting; demonstrated expertise in strategy design, management and monitoring; experience in coordinating or integrating sub-units and cross-cutting programmatic activities and developing joint strategic and operational plans; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, international relations, development studies, management or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant, progressively responsible professional experience including in, political affairs, programme management, and/or strategic planning processes is required.

Experience in development of Mission Plans and monitoring of mandate implementation, stakeholder engagement with Mission components as well as with UN country team agencies, fund and programmes, and/or monitoring contextual developments, managing project cycles, overseeing implementation of programmes, and supporting strategy development is required.

Relevant experiences in budget processes, project management, evaluation and coordination is desirable.

Experience in RBB processes including performance reporting and budget development as well as supporting exchanges with and drafting inputs in support of UN budgetary bodies (ACABQ and Fifth Committee) is desirable.

Experience in the areas of planning, monitoring, and evaluation, UN integration and transition planning is desirable.

Experience working in a UN Mission Strategic Planning Unit is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This job opening is advertised to fill a temporarily vacant position during the absence of the regular incumbent for an initial period of 364 days. The regular incumbent is entitled to return to this position at the expiry of the temporary vacancy period. If the regular incumbent exercises the right to return, the appointment or temporary assignment or promotion of the candidate selected for this job opening will not be renewed or extended.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.